'The Gown' is the independent student newspaper at Queen's University. The paper, founded in 1955, is run voluntarily by students and funded entirely by advertising without University or Students' Union assistance.
From terrorism to teletubbies, prostitution parties to political protests, 'The Gown' has reported it all, providing a colourful account of life within the University and within Northern Ireland.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

'Ruthless' rent demands to dead student's parents

The recent news that the parents of a Co Armagh born student, who died suddenly while at University in Liverpool, may have to fight a court case over rent demands from their daughter's estate agent, has been greeted with scorn.

Shauna McCann died just two months ago while in her second year of study to become a special needs teacher. Her parents, who have been caused "undue stress and worry" over the matter, have received numerous requests from Brownlow Property Management for the remaining rent which stands at £866 from March to June of this year . The estate agents have defended themselves saying they do not feel their pursuit of the rent is in any way "callous or unsympathetic", stating there is still a contract there to be fulfilled.

However MLA for Newry and Armagh, Mickey Brady, condemned the demand as "ruthless" and displaying an "all about money, nothing about grief attitude". The Liverpool Daily Post reported that Liverpool Hope's Students' Union are said to be contacting the University to "find a solution and to spare the family any further suffering at this time". They have labelled the demand as "insensitive". At present the University has said they are not involved in the dispute.

Landlords and estate agents have rarely been held in high esteem by students - this incident has done little to negate this image.

Daniel,Following further research it was found that there is a clause in the contract prohibiting the room from being rented without the permission of the three remaining housemates. The estate agents are using this as a further defence to their demand of rent.

It is understood the flatmates have been contacted about this but have made no reply as yet.

nope....I am not John finley. I am sick of this. I'm a tall blonde student who studies English. deal with it.

In regard to the issue in hand, I think it's a disgrace. Nowadays it's all money money money. Nobody can ever have enough. Asif the landlord/estate agent in question couldn't overlook the late students remaining rent. It seems the obvious and respectful thing to do. The student is dead for Christ sake. I'd be pretty sure that said landlord has a whole littany of properties full of students. He wouldn't be short of money. He should be ashamed of himself.

perhaps moderate nationalist might consider the possibility that the landlord has a mortgage to pay on their investment at a time when property values are going up (with mortgages) and everybody is desparately trying to remain solvent. peoples debts do not die with them, they are taken out of their estate. this is just an equitable. the most distastful thing is that the parents went to the press about it, over some lawful debts they have!

What's your views on her friends setting up a facebook page in order to encourage other people our age to write to the landlord?

Personally I don't like the whole internet thing on networking sites when there's a serious issue in hand.

I particularly dislike the continuation of bebo pages when someone has died. Even though people are intending to be respectful by keeping them going I think that it's actually really disrespectful and even cringeworthy.

The greed displayed on behalf of the landlord has been lost by a certain political party jumping on the bandwagon of a family's grief. I think the family also could have found better ways to deal with the situation other than going to the Irish News......................

there aren't really any others way to handle the situation - the only way you can get a politican in this place on your side is to shame them into acting or make them part of a bandwagon - both of which need the press.

would be interesting to know if there has been any progress, chances are it will probably be dropped in exchange for the family shutting up about it

I THINK PEOLPLE ARE LOSING TRUCK EVERYDAY. HOWEVER EVERYONE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING. SOMEONE'S LIFE AND ABOVE ALL THEIR CUSTOMER WAS REALLY OF MORE VALUE THAN THE STRESS THEY ARE BRINGING TO THE PARENTS. CANT THE AGENTS BE A LITTLE BIT SYMPATHETIC AND SAVE THEY PARENTS FROM SUCH A DEBT?